KATHMANDU: Sony Honda Mobility has unveiled a new prototype electric vehicle at the CES 2025 trade show in Las Vegas, even as several U.S. Automakers slow down their EV plans amid weakening demand.
Yasuhide Mizuno, CEO of Sony Honda Mobility, said the company aims to introduce a new production model based on the Afeela prototype to the U.S. customers as early as 2028.
He also confirmed that deliveries of the Afeela 1 to customers in California are expected to begin later this year. The Afeela 1, the joint venture’s first electric vehicle introduced last year, is priced from USD 89,900.
The unveiling stood out at CES 2025, where fewer automakers showcased new EVs due to declining consumer demand and rising trade tariffs on vehicles and auto parts. Several manufacturers have paused or canceled EV production plans.
The shift comes as the U.S. The government has rolled back EV-supportive policies, including the removal of the USD 7,500 federal tax credit, affecting market interest in electric vehicles.
Sony Honda Mobility was formed in 2022 as a joint venture between Sony Group and Honda Motor. The partnership combines Honda’s vehicle engineering and manufacturing expertise with Sony’s strengths in software, sensors, and entertainment technologies to compete in the global EV market.
